Melissa Orsini

Melissa Orsini has been teaching handwork and creativity for more than 20 years, in recent years at the
Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock. A graduate of UALR, she had a career in finance and accounting before
she began making jewelry. A background in fiber arts meshed perfectly with an interest in semiprecious stone
beads that began more than a decade ago, and she continues to feature intricate knotting techniques and tiny,
colorful stones in her work. In 2010, she began a love affair with metal clay. This versatile material quickly
became a favorite medium, and she continues to experiment with new ways to use it that increase the range
and originality of her work. She is currently pursuing Level II metal clay certification.